Test Your Spice IQ!

By Joe Wilkes

1. What are the five spices in Chinese five-spice powder? The five spices are equal parts ground cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, star anise, and Szechuan peppercorns. Due to the popularity of Chinese cuisine, this mixture is now available premixed in most North American supermarkets.
2. What is the Greek word for spice? The Greek word for spice is "aroma."
3. What are the leaves of the coriander plant called? Cilantro. The Coriandrum sativum plant is native to southern Asia and northern Africa. The seeds are often ground into Indian curries and other dishes, while the leaves are often used in Mexican and Thai cuisine. Cilantro is also often referred to as Chinese parsley.
4. What is the world's most expensive spice? Saffron. It comes from the dried stigmas of the saffron crocus. It gives many Spanish, Portuguese, and North African dishes a beautiful golden hue. But like real gold, saffron is costly. Up to $5,000 a pound, in fact. Fortunately, it is so flavorful, only a couple of hair-like strands are needed to flavor and color a dish.
5. What is the national spice of Hungary? Paprika. It's most commonly made by grinding sweet red bell peppers, though it is also made with hotter varieties. A popular variation is smoked paprika. It is the only spice that is traded more as its ground version than its whole version.